Convertible snow vehicle trailer

ABSTRACT

This trailer especially designed for use with snowmobiles, has a bottom surface portion which rides in direct contact with the snow. The bow portion curves upwardly. A front-mounted ski having a tiller causes the trailer to be steerable. A cockpit surrounded by a flotation collar permits the trailer to be used as a boat and be towed, or sailed on the water. Wheels are provided to allow the trailer to be used on land.

United States Patent [191 Cheney 1 Dec. 18,1973

1 1 CONVERTIBLE SNOW VEHICLE TRAILER [76] inventor: Stanley 0. Cheney,Rt. 114 North,

Bradford, NH. 03221 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 183,439

[52] US. Cl. 280/21 R,;280/24 [51] Int. Cl B62b 13/08 [58] Field ofSearch 280/21 R, 16, 12; 180/5 R; 9/310 B [56] References Cited UNlTEDSTATES PATENTS 3,671,055 6/1972, Aarup 280/87.01

1,459,263 6/1923' Rogers..... 280/21 R 3,438,074 4/1969 Goyen 9/310 B2,770,817 11/1956 Woodworth 9/310 B 2,510,798 6/1950 Cahill 280/87.013,510,144 5/1970 Casadi.....

3,591,193 6/1971 Mitchell.....

3,380,090 4/1968 Kenmuir 9/310 B Primary ExaminerRobert R. SongAttorney-Theodore C. Browne [57] ABSTRACT This trailer especiallydesigned for use with snowmobiles, has a bottom surface portion whichrides in direct contact with the snow. The bow portion curves upwardly.A front-mounted ski having a tiller causes the trailer to be steerable.A cockpit surrounded by a flotation collar permits the trailer to beused as a boat and be towed, or sailed on the water. Wheels are providedto allow the trailer to be used on land.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDBEB 1a 2913 SHEET 10? 3 STZY/VLEY 0.CHENEY- INVENTOR ma, C. .Enm

' ATTORNEY PATENTED DEC 1 8 I975 SHEET 2 CF 3 STHNLEY 0. CHENEY MENTOR ymv-aoo' a, C Em-among,

ATTORNEY PAIENIEDBEE 18 m5 SHEET 3 OF 3 .STGNLEYQ CHENEY INVENTOR mbma'C ATTORNEY CONVERTIBLE SNOW VEHICLE TRAILER This invention relates to atowable vehicle which, although primarily designed as a trailer forsnowmobiles, can be pulled behind a boat in the manner of a water ski,or with simple change parts, can be .used as a wheel trailer and pulledby any suitable means.

Trailers which are designed to be pulled by snow vehicles presently areadaptations of sleighs or, more commonly, the one-horse'cutter. Thetrailer bodies are attached to a runner rig usually some 6 to incheshigh. With such trailers, if the snowmobile takes too short a turn oneof the runners cuts deeply into the snow. The trailer then rolls to itsside and, if the turn continues, will upset. This happens despite aswivel jointed towbar.

In wooded or rocky country, trailer upsets can be serious. The passengercan hit a tree, a stump, or a rock; the crusty snow, when hit at milesan hour, can cause painful cuts and scrapes.

Another serious difficulty associated with snowvehicle trailers, whetherthey are towed by a towbar or by a rope, is that the'rider in thetrailer has no control over its direction. The noise of these vehiclesmakes communication between the rider and the driver difficult toimpossible. Often a rider finds himself swung into various obstacleswhich he has no power to avoid.

The objects of the present invention are: to produce a trailer for snowvehicles in which possibility of upset is greatly reduced; to produce atrailer which, to a substantial degree, may be steered by its passengerand thus avoid many collisions and accidents; to produce a trailer whichis readily converted to a small boat which may be towed, and to providefor the conversion of the trailer hull to a small land vehicle to bedrawn by any suitable means. How the device accomplishes these functionswill appear from the specification, and from the drawings in which FIG.1 is a sectional elevation of the improved trailer,

showing the tiller, hinge, and quick release mechanism for casting off atow rope or flexible towbar;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view; FIG. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3,of FIG.

' FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the snow vehicle trailer showing theadjustable fin. (The position of a rider is shown in dotted outline);

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the dirigible ski and the adjustable fin;

FIG. 6 shows the axle supports and wheels which adapt the trailer forland use;

FIG. 7 is a transverse partial section through the front of the vehicle;and

FIG. 8 shows a conversion allowing the vehicle to be used in the mannerof a dog sled.

I have found that if upset of a snowmobile trailer is to be avoided, thehull of the trailer should run directly in contact with the surface ofthe snow. Although a trailer with parallel sides will resist upset to amarked degree, if the trailer is to possess the maximum resistance toflipping when the towing vehicle changes directionquicklyQthe stern ofthe trailer should be considerably wider than the bow.

Referring to the drawings, as is shown in FIG. 2, the hull, ll, of thetrailer, 10, is A-shaped, and preferably terminates in a square stem,12. The bow, 13, is curved horizontally. The curve adds to theappearance of the vehicle, but a square bow can be made to operateproperly.

As shown in FIG. 3, the trailer rides on the snow in a horizontalposition, ir at a slight angle of attack. The portion, 14, of the bow ofthe hull, about one-third of the length of the trailer, 10, sweepsupwardly some 3 5 inches. Not only does the upward sweep of the hullbottom give clearance for the dirigible ski or rudder, 15, but itprevents the prow of the trailer from diving under crusted snow or intothe water. I

The rudder, 15, comprises a metal ski, 16, which may be sprung (FIGS. 1and 3) or unsprung (FIG. 4), equipped with two opposed angle bars, 17-47(FIGS. 4 and 5), which are bolted or otherwise fastened to the ski, 16,in such a manner that a fin, 18, may be fastened between the twovertically directed parallel legs of the bars, 17 17.

If the ski, 16, is solid and equipped with the angle bars, 17-17, then anumber of fins, 18, are furnished in different widths. If the trailer'isto be operated over crusty snow or ice, the width of the fin should befrom 1 2 inches. On wet snow, the tin should be approxi-. mately 3inches wide, and for dry and fluffy snow, the fin should project from 45 inches below the ski. Adjustability of a single fin is a considerableadvantage. This accomplished by providing that the steering means shouldhave a ski-shaped nose section, 19, with a bifurcated tail or runnerportions 21-21, adapted to hold the fin, 18, between the two tailportions, 2l'21 (see FIG. 5

The fin itself is a flat plate which may be made of any rigid material.It bears a number of holes, 2222, located in such a manner that the fin,18, may be attached to the rudder, 15, in a number of verticalpositions, and angular positions as well.

Snow has very variable densities and varied surface conditions. Formaximum control in very light and fluffy snow, the fin, 18, is droppedto its lowermost position so that the lateral control of the trailerwill be maintained. As the snow increases in density, it is notnecessary to have so much rudder, and the fin, 118, may be attached in aposition that will not cause it to project beneath the ski to so great adistance.'Sometimes it will be advantageous to raise the nose, 23, ofthe fin, 18, and drop its tail, 24. This is an advantage if the snow iscrusted with ice, is wet, packed, or of high density.

Steering is secured by a tiller, 25, which is hinged on the steeringspindle, 26. The spindle, 26, in turn is rigidly fastened to theattachment block, 27 (FIG. 1), which provides the sprung connection, orto. an attachment block, 27a, when the rudder is unsprung.Advantageously, block, 27, may be adapted to hold the ski, 16, at variedangles of attack by boring the holes, 28-28, adjacent the rear margin ofthe block. By attaching the ski, 16, to the block, 27, by bolts passingthrough the appropriate holes, the attitude of the ski may be changedfrom horizontal to an upward angle of attack. Preferably the tiller, 25,should have a towing extension directed towards the bow, l3, terminatingin an eye, 29, as shown in FIG. 1. Spindle, 26, should be just highenough to allow towing line,'3l, to clear the bow, 13. A smalltriangular block, 32, welded to the tiller, 25, to the rear of thesteering spindle, 26, receives the end loop, 33, of the tow line, 31. Acord, 34, with a ball grip, 35, is fastened into the splice. Thus bypulling on the ball grip, 35, the loop, 33, lifts off the block, 32,slides through the eye or pull ring, 29, on the tiller handle and thetrailer is cast free.

Other means of towing are also possible. The trailer can be pulled fromthe eye or'handle loop, 36, fashioned on the end of the ski, and mayalso be pulled by a towbar fastened at any convenient place ofattachment to the hull. The towbar should be provided with a swiveljoint.

The weight of the passenger changes the attitude of the trailer. As FIG.2 shows, the plate, 37, through which the steering spindle projects, isprovided with at least three holes, 3838, each adapted to receive thesteering spindle bearing, 39. With three or more possible positions inwhich to place the steering spindle, 26, attitudes which keep the ski orthe rudder fully effective can be established and the trailer can beadapted to a considerable range of body weights. Vacant positions in theplate are closed by plugs or other convenient means.

The forward extent of the cockpit is delimited by upstanding transversewall means 75 (FIGS. 1-4) shown positioned for engagement by the traileroccupants feet to limit his forward movement relative to the trailer,especially upon deceleration.

In an open snow field this trailer towed behind a snow vehicle can beswung back and forth across the wake of the vehicle very much in themanner of a water ski. In fact, by holding the tiller well over it ispossible to swing the trailer so far to the left or right of the towingvehicle that the trailer and snowmobile will travel in nearly parallelpaths. I

As FIG. 1 and the plan view, FIG. 2, show, the bottom of the hullextends beyond the wall of the cockpit some 3 or more inches. Theextension, 41, between the walls, 4343, of the cockpit and the margin,44, of the floor of the hull is built up with a foamed flotationsubstance. This flotation collar, 45, can be any substance thatdependably adds buoyancy to the hull, but preferably is made of foamedpolystyrene or other foamed resinous substance, e.g., polyurethane.

To prevent a rooster tail of snow from falling on the rider,particularly when exposed to cross or following winds, the stern of thetrailer can, with considerable advantage, extend much further than dothe side arrangements outside of the cockpit. In water, a 6 18-inch tailextension is recommended. The width depends upon the riders weight. Itmay be a detachable piece.

In another form of a detachable extension, 46 (FIG. 8), steps, 47, maybe molded in the stern portion. With the addition of a fold-down handle,48, supported on struts, 49-49, hinged to the handle, 48, and fittedinto sockets, 50-50, formed in the detachable stern extension, 46, thetrailer can be ridden in the manner of a dog sled. The body of foam allaround the exterior is covered with an impervious coating, preferably aresin filled fabric, but a thorough coating of a water-proof epoxy orwater-proof polyester finish is also suitable. As a consequence, thetrailer can be launched in water and will float easily. It will, withstem extension, 46, or smaller detachable "extensions, support areasonably heavy person. The hull can be made of plywood, plywood facedwith a hard plastic, metal, or glassfibres reinforced by resin, theso-called fiber-glass construction.

When used as a boat, the fin may be considerably deeper, or even beshaped like a conventional boat keel. However, the fin, which is usefulin snow, set to its deepest position will usually be found to besatisfactory. Swinging the rudder from side to side as the craft (now alittle boat) is being towed will cause the craft to swing across thewake of the motor boat, and behave in most respects as does a waterskier riding first to one side of the wake, then to the other.

The device may be converted to a small cart by removing the two narrowblocks or runners, 5l--5l, which are fastened on the outside of the hulland give considerable lateral stability when the trailer is travelingover the snow. They can be removed by loosening their attachments, andare replaced by axle blocks, 52-52, which attach to the hull through thebolt holes. Blocks, 52, which are bored to receive axle, 53, aresubstituted. Wheels, 54-54, are maintained beyond the margin of the hullby spacer sleeves, 55.

The conversion is completed by removing the ski, l6, and substituting apilot wheel, 58. This may have its own yoke, 59, and spindle, 26, but itcan be supported by plates bolted to each side of the ski support block,27. Yoke, 59, or the plates are bored to receive the short axle, 62.

Usually, when used as a land vehicle, the device is towed by a swiveltowbar. This has a forked end constituting a yoke, the arms of which maybe attached to the ski support block, 27.

The device has been towed both in open country and along woodland trailsin various snow conditions. It has remained at all times under thecontrol of the rider. It is safe, free from upsetting, and is useful notonly in the ski season but at all other times of the year.

We claim:

1. A trailer designed for towing for instance, by a snowmobile, saidtrailer comprising:

a. wall means defining a unitary hull having a generally flat bottom, astern disposed at least 6 inches forwardly of the rearmost extent of theflat bottom, left and right sidewalls extending from the stern forwardlyand toward one another to provide a generally pointed bow, said flatbottom curving upwardly in said bow, and transversely extendingupstanding foot engaging means disposed within the hull rearwardly fromthe foremost extent of the bow;

b. means defining an opening down through the flat bottom in theupwardly curving portion thereof forwardly of said foot engaging means,said opening being disposed on the longitudinal center line of the hull;

c. a steering spindle removably journalled for rotation in said openingand extending downwardly and upwardly from said opening;

(I. a tiller extending rearwardly from the steering spindle over andrearwardly past the foot engaging means;

e. block means mounted on the steering spindle below said flat bottomupwardly curving portion, said block means having adjustable meansthereon for mounting running surface engaging means at varied positionsrelative to the hull;

f. running surface engaging means adjustibly mounted to said block bysaid adjustible means; and

g. hitch means mounted on said trailer and disposed for permitting thetrailer to be towed forwardly across the running surface.

bottom portion attached to the said portion inwardly from its margins,

d. a steering spindle located on the center line of the vehicle in thesaid bow portion,

e. a ski;

f. a block for the attachment of steering means attached to the lowerend of the said spindle, said block being provided with plurality ofholes adjacent the rear margin thereof and wherein a pivot hole isformed adjacent the forward margin of said block pivot means pinning theski to the block through the pivot hole and adjustable securement meanspinning the ski to the block through selected ones of said plurality ofholes whereby the vertical angle of the ski attached to said block maybe adjusted to present varying angles of attack.

g. a tiller attached to the upper end of said spindle,

h. a floatation collar of a foamed substance attached to and surroundingthe outer walls of said cockpit and the said bottom portion, and

i. means attached to the said trailer to permit towing by powered means.

4. The trailer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the width of the vehicle atits stem is much wider than the width of the bow portion, whereby theresistance of said trailer to flipping and upset is improved.

5. The trailer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lower surface of saidbottom portion is provided with a plurality of runners to increase thelateral stability of said towed vehicle.

6. The trailer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the said stern portion ofthe bottom extends from 6 18 inches beyond the rear wall of the cockpit.

1. A trailer designed for towing for instance, by a snowmobile, saidtrailer comprising: a. wall means defining a unitary hull having agenerally flat bottom, a stern disposed at least 6 inches forwardly ofthe rearmost extent of the flat bottom, left and right sidewallsextending from the stern forwardly and toward one another to provide agenerally pointed bow, said flat bottom curving upwardly in said bow,and transversely extending upstanding foot engaging means disposedwithin the hull rearwardly from the foremost extent of the bow; b. meansdefining an opening down through the flat bottom in the upwardly curvingportion thereof forwardly of said foot engaging means, said openingbeing disposed on the longitudinal center line of the hull; c. asteering spindle removably journalled for rotation in said opening andextending downwardly and upwardly from said opening; d. a tillerextending rearwardly from the steering spindle over and rearwardly pastthe foot engaging means; e. block means mounted on the steering spindlebelow said flat bottom upwardly curving portion, said block means havingadjustable means thereon for mounting running surface engaging means atvaried positions relative to the hull; f. running surface engaging meansadjustibly mounted to said block by said adjustible means; and g. hitchmeans mounted on said trailer and disposed for permitting the trailer tobe towed forwardly across the running surface.
 2. The trailer of claim 1wherein the running surface engaging means is constituted by ski meansfor engaging snow.
 3. A convertible trailer designed for towing behindsnow vehicles, motor boats, and land machines, having in combination: a.a hull comprising a bottom portion adapted to run directly on thesurface of the snow, b. an upward curving bow portion, c. a cockpit oflesser width and length than the said bottom portion attached to thesaid portion inwardly from its margins, d. a steering spindle located onthe center line of the vehicle in the said bow portion, e. a ski; f. ablock for the attachment of steering means attached to the lower end ofthe said spindle, said block being provided with plurality of holesadjacent the rear margin thereof and wherein a pivot hole is formedadjacent the forward margin of said block pivot means pinning the ski tothe block through the pivot hole and adjustable securement means pinningthe ski to the block through selected ones of said plurality of holeswhereby the vertical angle of the ski attached to said block may beadjusted to present varying angles of attack. g. a tiller attached tothe upper end of said spindle, h. a floatation collar of a foamedsubstance attached to and surrounding the outer walls of said cockpitand the said bottom portion, and i. means attached to the said trailerto permit towing by powered means.
 4. The trailer as claimed iN claim 3wherein the width of the vehicle at its stern is much wider than thewidth of the bow portion, whereby the resistance of said trailer toflipping and upset is improved.
 5. The trailer as claimed in claim 3wherein the lower surface of said bottom portion is provided with aplurality of runners to increase the lateral stability of said towedvehicle.
 6. The trailer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the said sternportion of the bottom extends from 6 - 18 inches beyond the rear wall ofthe cockpit.